Who sent you?
Who are you?
Who could I be that I am in this chamber?
I am the target of your sword, Yi San.
Now... it is your turn.
Who sent you?
If you wish to live, speak the truth. If you confess, I will have mercy on your life.
Be quiet! You show too much pride as the prince.
Your life rests on my sword.
Now your life rests on mine.
Kill me.
No. I won't kill you.
Speak. Tell me who sent you!
No! No! No!
Your Highness! Is something the matter?
- There is an assassin. - What?
- Episode 5 -
He could not have entered the palace without help. Those who helped him must still be here.
- We must find them! Do you understand? - Yes, my Lord!
- Now go! - Yes sir!
His Majesty approaches!
What has happened here? An assassin?
How dare they infiltrate the palace to seek the life of the prince!
What were you guards doing?
Where were all the guards of the Eastern Palace?
- Please kill us, Your Majesty! - Please kill us, Your Majesty!
- The body of the assassin is inside? - Yes.
- Did you recognize him? - No.
- Bring out the body! - Yes, Your Majesty. Bring it out!
- Are you unharmed? - Yes, Your Majesty.
- What is it? - Your Majesty, there is no body!
What do you mean there is no body?
How...?
- What is happening? - Forgive me, but I do not know.
Who has entered my chambers? Who has removed the body?
No one has entered your chambers, Your Highness. We have guarded it according to your orders.
Was the body of the assassin really here, Your Majesty?
Many guards are watching the Palace.
It is impossible for someone to carry off a body without being noticed.
Let us go.
Your Majesty, there was no trace of anyone having breached the walls of the Palace.
- I understand. Leave me. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Why is your face so clouded?
Who was it? Who made my dear Father so worried?
When did you return?
I returned as soon as I received your order to hurry back.
- Were you well, Father? - Yes.
This is the tiger skin.
- Did you really come across a tiger at Mt. Gum Gang? - Yes.
If it weren't for my guards, we would all have been in danger.
The courage of the princess is astonishing! You did not abandon your trip after that?
That girl should have been born a prince, and not a princess.
In any case, your return home has brought a smile on His Majesty's face.
- He has been full of worry and unease. - You look like you've lost weight, Father.
What has made you so worried? Is it the matter of the prince?
I heard it on the way into the palace.
I hear he is now seeing and imagining things. Is that true?
Seeing and imagining things? Who is saying such things?
I heard that he claimed there was an assassin.
But there was no trace in his chamber, let along in the entire palace.
What is going on in the palace?
Why are there rumors of the prince's erratic behaviors and his claims of imaginary happenings?
The guards on duty that night will all be imprisoned for six months.
Are you joking with me?
What do you mean...?
Remove them from their office.
Your Highness! You have already dismissed 12 of your guards this month.
Now it'll be 18.
Your Highness, that is too high a punishment! Please take back your order!
Too high of a punishment?
Then again, mere dismissal of posts for those who conspired with the assassin is too much.
What do you think? Shall we take their lives as well?
- Their lives? Your Highness! - Then do you think I made all of this up?
Your Highness, I will dismiss all of them from their posts and send for new guards.
New guards? Good, then let's do it now.
What?
It's your turn now. Why don't we use real swords?
- But Your Highness, real swords are... - It's alright.
Will I kill my own subordinate?
Are there any more?
Is that it? Are these the men you wanted to guard my palace?
- Forgive me. I will send for more... - Forget it.
I will rather have those three as guards, then that those you brought here today.
They won't last a month anyway, so who cares who becomes the guard?
Since three won't be enough, you can bring anyone in from the streets.
Your Highness!
My Lord, how can we bring civilians in as guards? Is the prince really crazy...?
Watch your words!
Choi Suk Joo and princess Hwa Wan
What brings you here, Your Highness?
Every time there is a wrestling match, they gamble on the winner.
I do not enjoy wasting time drinking tea with the royal ladies of the palace.
I like watching victories like men.
I will wager 10 yang on the young man with the red sash.
Will you really push this forward?
- Why? Do you not enjoy this type of plan? - No, I do not enjoy losing.
Because of the previous incident, the prince's supporters will lay low for a while.
There are many rumors of the prince's madness.
- Perhaps we should just wait and see... - Your Excellency. We waited and saw him turn 20.
I have never lost money in this place.
Men are predictable creatures. They move according to their desires and fears.
I will not tread too much upon your boundaries, so do not worry too much.
At tomorrow's cabinet, you must speak to His Majesty and make sure that the duty is given to the prince.
- You there! - Oh no!
You look like a palace maid but where are you going?
Your Highness!
Please forgive me, Your Highness! Please forgive me!
Now, shall I guess? You were looking for the kitchens, right?
- What? - Your superiors probably told you to go steal food.
- How did you know that, Your Highness? - I'm the prince! I know everything.
Let's do this. If you go to the Eastern Palace, there will be some sweets left. Take those.
Then I will go to your superiors and scold them severely.
But how will you know who they are?
They will have sugar on their clothes.
- You're here. Now go on. - Alright.
It is said that you fought with some of the new soldiers.
The lips in the palace are certainly loose!
Yes, I wielded the sword like a madman.
- Actually, I was a madman. - Your Highness..!
I could not accept the men they were sending to me as guards.
The guards are giving entry to the assassin.
Well, it's not just the guards they have in their pocket.
Seeing how they made that body disappear that night,
they must also have ghosts on their payroll.
In the past 9 years, I have realized that they are capable of anything.
And that I'm capable of nothing.
Your Highness...!
Don't worry! And don't look at me like that. I won't give up and die so easily.
This is what came out of the assassin's mouth when he killed himself.
I think it's poison, but I don't know what kind. Go and find out the origin.
- Yes, Your Highness. - If we are lucky, we may be able to find the culprit.
You must be careful. They will be watching your every move.
- Do not worry, Your Highness. - Don't be so confident.
Even Minister Chae Jae Gong fell into their trap and was sent into exile.
That palace maid must have dropped it.
Did you see her? She looked like Song Yeon when she was young.
Forgive me for not being able to find them, Your Highness.
No, you did enough. You searched mountain villages for them for nine years.
That night, I dreamt about them.
If Dae Su and Song Yeon had not called out my name,
I would not have been able to wake up.
They saved my life again.
Where are they? Are they still alive?
I wish I knew.
- Here they are. - Leave them there.
Do you know me? You look familiar.
- Have we met before? - I don't know.
Where could you have seen a traveling merchant like me?
You have to pay me first... We'll do it next time.
Should I paste more hair on my face?
- Your Majesty, the prince is here to see you. - Send him in.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Sit.
The prince will lift up his head and look at the ministers.
What do you think? Do you know what they are thinking?
I don't understand what you mean, Your Majesty.
You still have far to go.
If you are to sit on the throne, you must be able to read what is on their minds.
Fine. Then this time, I will tell you what they are thinking.
The ministers all think you are mad.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! How can you say such things? Please take it back, Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Now you must respond to what they are thinking.
Have you gone mad?
- I am not. - Is that so? Good.
Then you must show them that you are not insane.
I plan to give you the responsibility of meeting the ambassadors from China next month.
You are all aware that last year's disagreement with the ambassador caused a trade embargo.
If we do not lift the embargo, our country will suffer.
We'll have to ensure to meet their every demand as well as give them the best hospitality.
Do you understand?
Your Majesty.
This is a good thing that has happened.
This is His Majesty's way of giving you more power.
We must take this opportunity to silence all rumors. (Hong In Han-Brother of Yi San's Maternal Grandfather)
Let us go.
- What is the status of the catalog of gifts? - The officials will be arriving shortly.
Your Highness, it is said that they value our paintings. We will need to prepare such gifts as well.
What is the Office of Protocol doing?
We will rush to retain an artist to keep a record of the meeting.
There is a painting competition in ten days, but we will advance it forward.
We will now begin the painting competition for entrance into the Royal Bureau of Painting.
The Royal Bureau of Painting is where all events of the palace are recording in paintings.
It is where records of important meetings and events are painted,
and also where maps and architectural works are created for the advance of our people.
In order to achieve this, a royal artist must be able to draw quickly and precisely.
Beat the drums!
First we will test your memory.
For one hour, you will draw what you have just seen.
You must draw the musician's costume and instruments,
the dancers' makeup and dance, and even the number of birds set free.
You may begin now.
That man had been failed twelve times already!
The musicians are wearing green,
the dancers are wearing ornaments in their hair, and there are 12 birds.
Hey, Sung Song Yeon! Hurry up!
My Lord...
Wh... what is the matter?
Come over here and take a look.
It's a little weak, isn't it?
How can you draw explicit paintings in the Royal Bureau of Painting?
- What if the superiors find out? - I've already been paid and I have to finish today.
I shouldn't be wasting time.
Please help me finish the map.
- What? Again? - Forgive me, Song Yeon. It's the last time!
- You said that last time! - Song Yeon!
I can't. I'm a Damo. I can't touch a royal painting! (Damo - Female Police Investigator)
Your painting skills are better than most of the royal artists here!
No. I can't. Not this time.
- You're really not going to help me? - Yes. I'll be taking my leave now.
Who was it again who let you in the Royal Bureau a year ago?
Park Dal Ho, who works here as a manservant, asked me to get you a position here as a Damo.
- Isn't that right? - My Lord!
I went through quite a bit then for you! My wife thought you're my mistress and tried to kill me!
- When do I have to finish it? - You were going to do it anyway.
It's a bit weak, isn't it?
- Why are you always so slow? - Please forgive me.
This is the second time. One more time, and you know what happens.
Yes.
- I'll help you. - Thank you.
Did you hear? They're going to the palace.
- What? The Palace? - The Ambassadors from China are coming.
The Royal Bureau has to record the whole event. They will be accompanying the royal artists.
They're so lucky! They get to see the palace!
When will I get a chance to enter the palace?
What? Forget it! You'll never get in.
They have been working at the Royal Bureau for more than fifteen years!
I've been a Damo for 10 years and I've never been there!
Better chance of a flower growing in the sand.
The winner!
Red sash, come out!
- Where's the red sash? - Where is he?
- Where's Park Dae Su?
Park Dae Su! Park Dae Su!
Park Dae Su! You bastard!
Are you leaving?
Who's leaving? I had to have a movement, so I was in the field.
Movement? Come with me, you bastard!
Let me go!
Ready!
You have a great body! And handsome too!
Begin!
Oh my nose! My nose!
I have a low tolerance for pain. So if I get hit, I go a little crazy!
Now you're fighting!
I won!
- Hold still a moment! - It's not there, it's here!
I can't put it on if you keep moving!
Be gentle!
You scared me! Calm down a bit! You're such a sissy!
- I'm not being a sissy! It hurts! - Come here. You need more.
That's fine. No more.
And you can't tell Song Yeon I fought, alright?
So you are ashamed to tell Song Yeon, are you?
Come to your senses, boy! We've just arrived in Hanyang a year ago.
We have to get settled here. At least help me sell my wares!
- You can't earn much doing that! - So you would rather fight?
We are eating because Song Yeon is working at the Royal Bureau. Don't you feel bad?
That's why! I want to make money so that Song Yeon does not have to suffer!
So that's why you're always fighting in the marketplace?
It's just for a while!
When I have enough money, I'll stop.
Anyway, I'm going out. Don't tell Song Yeon, alright?
- What if I do? - I'll tell everyone this is dog's hair!
If they knew you're an eunuch, everyone will be shocked!
Park Dae Su, you wretch! And this isn't dog's hair. It's expensive horse hair!
Whatever!
Song Yeon!
You fought again?
What are you making?
Medicine for you! You have to take them before you get sick.
You know, I really didn't want to fight today.
I went to tell them that I didn't want to fight anymore...
- Song Yeon, are you alright? - Yes, my wrist is just a bit sore.
Oh no! It's swollen!
You spent all night painting again at the Bureau, didn't you?
I'm alright.
I told you I would support you. You should just quit working at the Bureau!
How? By being a thug?
Have you given up on the Military Service Examination?
What did I tell you before? In Hanyang, you have to study!
You only have a few more books to study.
I don't know about me, but you can go to the Palace.
If you pass the military service exam, you can keep the promise to the prince...
Stop talking about that stupid promise!
Promise? To return to the palace? To meet him again?
That was such a long time ago! That was nine years ago.
Don't you get it? The prince has already forgotten about us.
- Dae Su! - So come to your senses.
Don't expect to go to the palace while working as a Damo.
Stop being stupid!
Yes, you're right.
Like you said, the prince may have forgotten us.
But... even so...
I want to meet him again, Dae Su.
Even though we were just children,
He called us his friends.
He said that our promise was one made with friends.
Even if the prince has forgotten about us,
Even so...
I still want to keep the promise.
Park Dae Su, you stupid fool!
My name is San. Now, call me by my name.
Your High.... S... San.
Forgive me, Your Highness! I deserve to die!
I found the poison, Your Highness!
What is this?
It is orpiment.
- Orpiment? - Yes, it is used in paintings.
But in excessive amounts, it can be a deadly poison.
It cannot be found in paint shops. In the capital, it is only used in the Royal Bureau.
The Royal Bureau of Painting?
How can that be? How can the assassin possess poison that came from the Royal Bureau?
I will plant one of my subordinates in the Royal Bureau.
If we find who took the orpiment from the Royal Bureau, we will know who the culprit is.
No, the security at the Royal Bureau is tight as it possesses many records of national security.
We cannot go in secretly.
Oh no! I'm late again!
This is the third time. You know what your punishment is?
You see this?
- All of this? - No.
The brook in the Royal Bureau isn't very clean.
Make sure to go the Blue Stream, alright?
Official Tak will be responsible for arranging the drawing of the ambassadors' visit.
Please make sure that all preparations are properly done.
Yes, my Lord.
And Official Kang will find us records of historical battle formations.
- Yes, my Lord. - My Lord!
- My Lord! Big news! - What is it?
Please come outside. There is...
What is going on? What brings the prince here?
How should I know?
- Have you seen Song Yeon? - No. I didn't see her.
That girl! Where could she be?
We are honored to have you visit us, Your Highness.
The paintings drawn by the Royal Bureau are valuable records of a state visit.
Your efforts will be greatly appreciated in the coming visit of the Chinese Ambassadors.
That's why I am here on behalf of the King.
Your Highness, it is truly an honor.
Chief Officer, please gather all of your staff.
Not only your artists, but all servants will receive a feast bestowed by the King.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Look here!
Go and enjoy the King's feast.
It's alright. The prince has ordered it. Come with me.
Let us go.
Is this not the famous artist Kim's painting?
Yes, the new Royal Artists are studying it.
It is to familiarize them with the Ming style of painting.
The painting has all of its main components in the bottom half of the painting.
This doesn't seem like it is the Ming style.
- What? - Yes, you're right. It is the Maha style.
For... forgive me, Your Highness.
- Song Yeon! - Mi Su!
You've been doing laundry this whole time?
Yes, but I'm almost done.
I told you to not be on her bad side. Her word is law in the Royal Bureau!
What brings you here?
Oh, that's right! Something big's happening at the Royal Bureau!
- Something big? - Yes, the prince is here.
Who would have thought the prince would visit? All the officials went pale and they were...
What are you talking about, Mi Su? The prince is visiting where?
I told you, the Royal Bureau!
The whole place is going crazy!
My man has gone into the warehouse.
- Song Yeon! - Where is the prince? Where is he?
The prince? He already left for the palace!
Why? Did you not see him?
Your Highness...
It's me.
It's Song Yeon.
I could have met you.
I could have seen you, Your Highness.
- The paintings are not good. - The subject was difficult.
But the new students should be honored. The subject was given by the prince himself!
The subject was given by the prince himself!
Recites poem written by prince Yi San
When the red lotus blooms,
a golden fragrance is left on the skirt.
What are you doing...?
How dare you! What are you doing here?
Please forgive me, my Lord! I was just using the scrap paper!
Shut your mouth! How dare a Damo paint?
Do you want to die so badly?
I... I didn't want to draw, but... It was just scrap paper meant to be thrown away!
Forgive me! Please forgive me!
- Come out! Come out! - My Lord! Please forgive me!
My Lord! Please forgive me!
- My Lord, please forgive me! Please! - Song Yeon!
Official Tak, what is the meaning of this?
This wench had stolen precious paper and ink and was painting a picture!
- They weren't previous! They were thrown away! - Be quiet!
Arrest her and search her belongings!
Search for paper and ink. If we find any, she will pay for her crime!
- Take her away! - Yes sir!
My Lord, my Lord!
My Lord, please forgive me!
My Lord! Please forgive me! Please forgive me!
Getting beaten up is easier!
Have a safe journey, my Lord!
- Who was that? - Oh, you're here.
Your Excellency, I have done as you have ordered.
He will never appear again.
Tomorrow morning, his body will be found floating in the river.
Good work. You may go now.
Yes, Your Excellency.
Choi Suk Joo
Your Highness!
Eunuch Han has found the man who took the orpiment.
What shall we do?
Bring him in quietly.
Tomorrow, I will be leaving the palace to inspect the tributes to the Ambassadors.
I will meet him then.
- But Your Highness... - I have waited 9 years to know their identity.
I will not lose this chance.
- How much was it? - Two poon.
- They say a man is dead! - Yes, they discovered his body!
What happened?
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Your Highness! Bad news...! What shall we do...?